Mary Ellen Traxler

Mrs. Mary Ellen Traxler was laid to rest beside her late husband Frank Traxler on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013. She passed away May 6 in San Diego, Calif., at the age of 93.

Mary Ellen Gogerty was born March 31, 1920, in Bismarck, N.D. She was the eldest child and the only daughter of Julia and John Gogerty. She graduated from Mandan High School in 1938 and in Dec. 1941 received her R.N. degree from Ancker Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul, Minn. She was united in marriage to Frank Traxler Feb. 22, 1942, in St. Paul, Minn. In 1961, Mrs. Traxler received her B.S. in nursing education from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and began teaching nurse aides’ classes at the Moose Lake State Hospital. She continued her psychiatric nursing career in Colorado and Arizona, eventually settling with her husband in Salem, Ore. Mrs. Traxler received her master’s degree in education while in Oregon and taught for several years at Chemeketa Community College in Salem. The Traxlers enjoyed several years of retirement — during which they often took part in one of their favorite pastimes: camping — until Mr. Traxler passed away in 1989. At this time, Mrs. Traxler moved to San Diego to be near her daughter, Karen.

She is survived by her two daughters: Karen Mitchell and her husband Richard, of San Diego, Calif.; and Judith Curtis and her husband Bill, of St. Louis, Mo.; two grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Reverend Laurie O’Shea officiated a private graveside service Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City.

Arrangements for Mrs. Mary Traxler are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service – Olson Chapel of Rush City. www.funeralandcremationservice.com